Agenda - 11-21-2013 - 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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35 This achievement is based on a variety of factors, but most significantly on the strong support by all county residents and elected officials and the foresight of the elected officials to organizationally centralize operations and planning into one entity. This entity proved its success under the leadership of Chapel Hill for years and more recently under County leadership. Our programmatic successes have been county- wide successes, not individual jurisdictional successes. Performance also means program predictability, responsiveness, stability and financial accountability. Disengaging individual services from the unified program will likely weaken the operational and planning benefits that now exist. 5) Concern about the County's request for an expedited decision by the Towns and lack of all questions being addressed prior to the Towns making a commitment throuqh a letter of intent There are a number of factors that have led County recycling staff to suggest an expedited implementation improved Urban Curbside recycling services. Among these factors are: ➢ It has been understood for some time that there was a desire by all three Towns to convert to roll carts for recycling collection at the earliest opportunity and that it was a high priority. County staff are prepared to move quickly toward bidding roll carts and Urban Collection service (RFP and Bid documents nearly finalized) when authorized by the BOCC; the County needs six (6) months to plan and implement this service ➢ It is very likely that the state grants for roll carts will be cancelled after this fiscal year. Grant funds are diminishing and NC DENR will start focusing limited funds on other areas, since most large municipalities have already transitioned to carts. Any grants received will require implementation within one year ➢ Current Urban Curbside and Multi- family services are funded until July 1, 2014, so it is assumed that the Town's planning was already moving on an expedited schedule, whether the final decision is that the Towns will assume responsibility for these services or will notify the County of interest in continuing with County provided services ➢ The County currently has a considerable potential workload with regard to solid waste and recycling activities whose timelines, schedules, processes and operations must be orchestrated consistent with the availability of staff resources and BOCC priorities ➢ Long experience has informed staff that during the summer break is not the best time to implement broad impact type services where communication with the residents is paramount. Education & outreach activities related to roll cart implementation, especially if the Towns move to bi- weekly service, would be less effective given the absence of many residents during the summer period ➢ The County contract with the current Urban Curbside recycling service provider expired June 2013 and the program continues on a month to month basis. It is not desirable to continue indefinitely with this month to month arrangement County staff would be interested in knowing the Towns' preferred Urban Curbside implementation schedule. For purpose of balancing County Solid Waste Department various workload, deadlines and projects, coupled with the County's perception of long -held strong desire by Towns to expeditiously move to roll carts, County staff considered prioritization of the Urban Curbside implementation a reasonable suggestion. Staff will accommodate the Towns desires to the extent possible, and ultimately the BOCC, in consultation with the Towns, will make decisions and provide staff guidance on matters of implementation timelines. Staff's primary interest is, as a practical matter, being able to give full attention to implementation process to assure an efficient, minimally disruptive and resident approving transition to roll carts.